Piano-hoist.



J. W. WOLFE & 1. A smow.

PIANO HOIST. APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. @917.

w gmw Patented. May 28,1918, 3 SHEETSSHEET l- J. W. WOLFE & 1. A. SNOW.

PIANO HOIST.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 7. 1917.

Patented y 28,1918. 7

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- l. W. WOLFE & J. A. SNOW.

PIANO HOlST;

I APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. 1912.

3 SHEETS-$HEET 3- 1) N .4 'Emwm Patented May 28,1918.

rrnn srairns rarrnuar oi nibu.

r JOHN WILLIAM WOLFE AND JOSEPH ALBERT SNOW, OF SHENANDOAH, IOWA.

IPIANO-HOIST.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that we, JOHN WILLIAM WOLFE and Josnrn ALBERT Snow, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Shenandoah, in the county of Page and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano-Hoists, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a piano hoist and has for its principal object the production of a structure so formed as to permit a piano to be lifted upon the body of the conveying vehicle or to be easily lifted there from and deposited upon the ground or other suitable support.

Another object of this invention is the production of a piano hoist in which a movable platform is carried upon a frame, the frame, of course, being fixed upon the body of the vehicle and being provided with suitable means for lowering or raising the movable platform upon which the piano is to be carried, thus permitting the piano to be lowered upon the ground or lifted on to the vehicle so as to be carried thereby when desired. 1

Another object of this inventionisthe production of a'piano hoist wherein simple and efficient means is provided for efliciently bracing the entire construction, thus precluding any possibility of the accidental collapsing of the structure when a piano is carried thereon.

, A still furtherv object of this invention is the production of a piano hoist wherein simple and eflicient means is provided for rapidly, although gently, moving the platform to a desired positionwhen a piano is carried thereon.

With these and other objects in view this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the piano hoist as constructed in accordance with this invention showing the same mounted upon Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2%, 1918.

Application iiled April 7, 1917. Serial No. 160,509.

Fig. 4L is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4l-4: of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 12. i

Fig. dis a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8 -8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 1.'

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line 10 10 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the movable platform.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals it will be seen that the piano hoist is adapted to be carried upon a frame 1 of an automobile, as herein disclosed which, of course, is supported by the springs 52 carried by the axle 3 and wheels 4. While thedevice as herein disclosed is shown as applied to an automobile it is, of course, obvious that the structure is intended and capable of being used in connection with any other suitable vehicle.

The supporting frame comprises the lon gitudina]. beams 5 which are positioned upon the frame 1 of the supporting vehicle and these beams 5 are fixedly retained in position by means of the bolts 6 having nuts 7, which bolts 6 are passed through the frame 1, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The standards 8 are fixedly mounted by means of the bolts 9 intermediate the ends of the beams whereby these standards are fixedly carried in set positions. The braces 10 are carried by means of the bolts 11 upon thelongitudinal beams 5 and are retained in engagement with the standards 8 in any suitable manner so that these standards will be greatly reinforced when in use. From this construc tion it may be seen that a very rigidframe has been provided for supporting the weight of the piano when the hoist is in operation.

The movable platform comprises the parallel inner bars 12 and outer bars 13, these bars 12 and 13 being connected by the trans verse bars 14: and 14 at their ends, while the strips 15 are carried by the bars 12 and 13 extending transversely enema-s, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. These bars and strips may be secured together in any suitable mannerso as'to form :a :ri gidkframe. It should be noted that the inner bars 12 extend for a considerable distance beyond the lower transversely extending bar 14 and have-their lower ends connected by means of the bar 16 so that the retaining brackets 17 which are of L-shaped construction in elevation are secured upon the-ends of the bars 12 and adjacent the-ends of the bar 16 so as .to project above the upper surface of these bars so that when a piano is positioned upon the movable platform it may bear upon these brackets 17. The arms 18 are lpivotally mounted upon the bolts 19 carried by the beams 5, as shown clearly in Fig. so that thearms 18'will becarried in spaced relation and adjacent each side of the frame. The central bars l2 are provided with b'ear ing blocks 20 upon their lower surface which bearing blocks 20 are retained in position by means of set screws 21 passing therethrough and also into the bars 1-2, 'as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The supporting rod 22 passes through the upper ends of the arms 1'8 and has its ends carried by the blocks .20. It will be seen that this rod 22 is held against accidental displacement by means of the nuts 23 so as to cause the upperends of the armsto befpivotal-lysecured to the movable Pl tform.

When the movable platform is carried uponthe frame as shown in Figs. ll, 2, and 3 the lower endof the frame will =be-restinjg u-ponthe beams 5, while the upper endof thev frame will be supported by the upper ends ofthe arms 18 and-the standards 8. Theframe will be in an inclined positionso as to support very easily a piano, .as indicated :in, dotted lines in Fig. -1 while the will also' rotat'e in amison therewith.

standards 8 will (not be broken from their position ii-nasmuch as they will be greatly fein forcedby-lmeans of the braces -10.

Bearin'g blocks 24: are secured-by means of the bolts 25 upon the longitudinal beams -5 a-ndcarrya rotating shaft 26. This shaft 26 has a 'drum 2-7 shrunk thereon or keyed in position in any suitable manner so }-that when the shaft 26 is rotated the drum 2'? The ends of this shaft 26 pass through the, hearing 'blocks 24, as clearly "shown :in Fig. '11 so that a gear 28 anay be shrunk or keyed in --any suitable -.ma1me-r upon the shaft "26 ClEQIY gDLIIpOSGS to be hereinafter set forth. llhe operating shaft .29 having a crank 30 is -;keyed to the pinion 3-1 Which meshes I with :thew'gear 28, ia-s shown clearly 'in Figs.

1 and-I2. The shaft :29 is firmly carried upon-thebeamsw5 by-means of the retaining clamps carried upon {these beams :and

embracing the shaft, as shown in Fig. l0.v

Thus, it will be seen that as the shaft 29 is rotated rotary movement will 'be imparted through the pinion 31 and gear 28 to the rotating shaft 26 so as to cause the drum 27 to rotate.

A starting cable 33 is connected to one end of tlie eye 34- secured to one of the strips 15. This starting cable 33 is wound upon the drum 27,11 8 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, so that as the -drum is rotated in a desired direction the starting cable will be partially wound thereon, thus starting the movable platform to Slidenpon the longitudinal beams 5 ad zjacent their rear ends. In order to prevent this platform from tilting, however, the

lifting cables 35 are secured to the eyes 36 carried by the central. beams 12 and then passed around the pulleys 37 carried within the slots 38 formed in the bar 16 -connectingthelower endso'f the bars 12. The lifting cables 35 then pass so as to be wound upon thedrum .27 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. hen the frame .moves downwardly and the drum is being rotated in a counterclockwise,direction it will be seen that the lifting cables 35 will .unrecl therefrom so that the-downward rearward pulling of the startingcable 33 will cause the lower end of the movable platform'to begin to slide upon the 'beams 5 adjacent their rear ends, as .a'bove set forth. After the movable platform is moved over the end of the fixed frame :itwill be seen that the movable platform will ride .upon the rollers 39 rotatably mounted uponthe rear ends of the beams 5, as clearly-shown in Fig. '2. Thus, it will be seen that since the upper end of the movable platform will be carried upon the arms 18 thearms will be swung rearwardly for supporting the upper end of the frame and causing the-same .to .move correctly in a downward direction although the action .of the lifting cables35 will cause the movable platform to move as slowly .or rapidly as desired whereby when a .piano is :carried thereon it may be .ease'd very slowly until rests upon the ground or a support, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. It is, of course, obvious that when .the :piano is carried upon the movable platform suitable securingoables-orbands .may be passed around the piano so as to aengage thc U-bolts 4-0 carried upon the side portions of ,the .mov-

'able platform, as shown clearly ,in .Fig. .2.

the ground it will be seen that a piano may be placed in engagement therewith by resting upon the supporting brackets 17. The piano may then be tilted rearwardly into engagement with the platform, after which the securing bands may be passed around the piano and into engagement with the bolts 40 whereby thepiano will be positively carried upon the platform. By the rotation of the drum in a clockwise direction it will be seen that the lifting cables will be wound thereon, while the starting cable 33 will be unreeled, thus permitting the movable platform to be lifted upwardly, while the swinging of the arms will cause the platform to be swung over onto the frame to the position indicated in Fig. 1. Thus, it will be seen that the platform will be positively carried upon the frameso as to efficiently support the same, thus permitting a piano to be transported when desired. It will be seen that the structure is so formed as to permit a single piano to be carried upon the vehicle at a single time.

It is, of course, obvious that this structure may be employed for carrying large slabs of stone orblocks of'marble, if so desired, for the movable platform is of such a construction as to permit a piano, or stones, or blocks of marble to be secured thereon and moved upwardly upon the frame so as to be transmitted without danger of accidental displacement.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very simple and efficient piano hoist has been produced which is so formed as to readily lift the piano from the ground up on to the supporting frame or to remove a piano from the supporting frame and lower the same very gently upon the ground, or other supporting structure, while simple and eflicient means has been provided for lifting or lowering the movable platform as readily as desired, while the construction of the arms is such as to cause the platform to be moved over ontothe frame owing to the swinging of the arms over to one side when in use.

What is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, said frame being adapted to be carried upon a vehicle, arms pivotally mounted upon said frame, a platform pivotally secured to said arms, whereby said platform will be carried in a tilted position when upon said frame, means for limiting the movement of said arms in one direction, whereby said platform will have its upper end efficiently supported, means for starting said platform to move over the end of said frame, and means for gently lowering said platform into engagement with the ground or other supporting structure, said last-mentioned means being adapted to lift said platform upwardly causing said arms to swing the lower end of said platform upon said frame.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame, said frame comprising a pair of longitudinally extending beams, vertical standards carried by said beams, braces carried by said beams and secured to said standards intermediate their ends for reinforcing said standards, arms pivotally mounted upon said beams, a platform pivotally secured to the upper ends of said arms, whereby the upper end of said platform may rest against the upper ends of said standards, thereby causing the movement of said arms in one direction to be limited, whereby said platform will be carried in a tilted position when upon said frame, means for starting said platform to move over the ends of said frame, and means for gently raising or lowering said platform.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of longitudinally extending beams, vertical standards carried by said beams, braces carried by said beams and engaging said standards for reinforcing the same, arms pivotally mounted upon said beams, 21 platform pivotally connected to the upper ends of said arms, a drum mounted upon said beams, a starting cable connected to said platform and engaging said drum, means for rotating said drumjin either direction, whereby said cable may be wound upon said drum, lifting cables connected to said platform and being wound upon said drum, whereby when said starting cableis wound upon the drum the lifting cables will unreel therefrom permitting the platform to move downwardly very gently into engagement with the ground, said drum being adapted to be rotated in the opposite direction so as to wind the lifting cables thereon and unreel the starting cable, whereby the platform will be lifted upwardly causing the arms to swing upwardly and then forwardly thereby causing the lower end of the platform to rest upon the rear portionsv of the beams.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of longitudinally extending beams, vertical standards carried by said beams, means for reinforcing said standards, arms pivotally mounted upon said beams, a platform positioned upon said. beams, supporting blocks carried by said platform, a rod carried by said supporting blocks, said rod passing through the upper ends of said arms, whereby said platform will be pivotally mounted upon said arms, and means for raising and lowering said platform.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of longitudinally extending beams, vertical standards carried by said beams, means for reinforcing said standards, arms pivotally mounted upon said beams, ;a platform positioned upon said beams, supporting blocks carried by said platform, :a rod carried by said supporting blocks, said rod passing through the upper ends of said arms, whereby said platform will be pivotally mounted upon said arms, a

drum rotatably mounted upon said beams,

means for rotating said drum, a starting cable connected to said platform and wound upon said drum, lifting cables connected to said platform and wound upon said drum, whereby when said drum is rotated in one direction said starting cable will be drawn clownward ly and rearwardl-y upon said platform as the lifting cables are being unreeled whereby said platform may be moved gently down into engagement with the ground, said drum being adapted :to vu-n-reel said starting cable and reel said lifting cables so as to cause said platform to rest upon the forward portions of said beams being guided by said arms. 7

6. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a plurality of longitudi.

mailly extending beams, vertical standards :ca-rriedby said beams, means for rein-forcing said standards, arms pivotally mounted :upon said beams, a platform positioned upon said beams, supporting blocks carried by said platform, a (rod carried by said supporting blocks,isaid rod passing through the 'upper ends ofsaid arms whereby-said platform will be pivotally mounted upon said arms, bearing blocks imounted :upon said beams, a rotating shaft carried by said bearing blocks, a drum keyed iupon said shaft, a gear keyed -.upon ;sai d shaft, a drive shaft secured to said beams, a pinion keyed upon said drive shaft and meshing with said gear, means for rotating said drive shaft, wheres rotary motion will be imparted through said pinion and gear to said rotating shaft so as to cause said drum to be rotated, a starting cable connected to said platform and being wound upon said drum, lifting cables connected to said platform and being wound upon said drum, whereby when said drum is rotated said cables will be operated so asto either move said platform to a lowered position or to a position upon the frame.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame, arms pivotally secured to said frame, a platform pivotally secured to said arms, said platform being larger than said arms, means for lifting said platform, said arms being adapted to guide said platform upon said frame, whereby the lower end of said platform will rest upon said frame, for relieving considerable of the supporting strain from said arms, and standards carried by said frame in the path of movement of said arms, whereby said arms will engage said standards when moved in one direction, so as to be limited in their movement, thereby holding said platform in a set position.

In testimony whereof .we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN WILLIAM WOLFE. JOSEPH ALBERT SNOW.

Witnesses:

R. B. MURPHY, .Mrs. MOIMDER A. TROTTER.

,Gopies of this patent may henbtainedfor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

. Washington, D. G. 

